N’Ice Chouffe

2004, 740ml. bottle. Cloudy reddish brown color with a large off white head. Lovely aroma of chocolate malt, caramel, dried fruits and bread. Spicy, fruity flavor with some caramel, yeast and chocolate.

Opaque deep ruby amber with large, large bubbled lasting beige head. Spicy ginger cinnamon aromas when cold - moving to malty festive plum pudding, rum and raisin as it warms. Palate is relatively light and crisp for such a high ABV brew. Flavorus are medium low caramel malt sweet with medium hoppy bitterness and a touch of that gingery spice, some alcohol and yeast. Finish was medium light short bitter. Hummm . . . .maybe I was expecting a bit more in the flavour stakes otherwise it’s quite um . . .nice?

Very thick, fluffy, long lasting head topping a brownish red ale. Plums, grapes, and sugars greet the nose. The taste is warming, with a spice and fruit blend, finishing with a sugary carbonation.

(750ml bottle) The neck foamed-over for a good 2 minutes after the cap finally was cracked. A pleasant aroma of marshmellow and bourbon filled the air. The flavours of strong roasted malt, caramel, marshmellow and cask bourbon roll nicely on the tongue. Very potent and formal flavours for a straight-forward taste. Very warming ans sweet. Very good.

Bottle. It is quite N’Ice i have to say. Some nice touches of caramel and chocolate, with hints of brown sugar. Belgian yeasty bitterness in the finish, with a soft carbonation, very pleasant and quite drinkable for its strength.

Vintage 2004: A dark nutty brown body with glimmering ruby highlights capped by a thick, creamy tan head make this one good looking ale. The aroma is quite spicy, a rich caramel & toffee malt with orange zest, dark berries, and alcohol. Smooth but hot in the mouth, the flavor intensifies the malts, blends it tightly to the alcohol and fruits, and allows the spices to roam freely. The finish is sweet and hot. I like.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=1197>Torrence Liquors, Calumet City, IL<font size=-1>

Vertical, with a 2002, 2003 and 2004 and I definately perferred te 2004, but I also hate oxidation. Dark ruby color. Very subtle aromatically, comparing multiple samples. Rich toffee and spice with a pretty overwhelming bitter and acidic flavor, along with an orange tone, which may come from spices. Musty yeast as well. Never really been to fond of it.

Pours brown with a thick lasting light tan head. Smells great. Lots of sweet chocolatey malt in the nose. A little fruity too. Sort of a dry bitter palate. Finishes with some alcohol flavor. A good dark Belgian Ale that would probably be better if the alcohol were hidden better. As it is, the alcohol masks some of the flavors; nevertheless, it’s still a quality ale.